E. coli sickens 2 dozen on Minnesota reservation

State health officials are investigating an outbreak of about two dozen suspected cases of E. coli on a Chippewa reservation in northeastern Minnesota.

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By Associated Press

Crookston Times - Crookston, MN

By Associated Press

Posted Jul. 23, 2014 at 5:00 PM

By Associated Press
Posted Jul. 23, 2014 at 5:00 PM

Cloquet, Minn.

State health officials are investigating an outbreak of about two dozen suspected cases of E. coli on a Chippewa reservation in northeastern Minnesota.

More than a handful of cases have been confirmed as E. coli. But environmental health supervisor April Bogard with the Minnesota Department of Health says the final numbers will fluctuate as health officials receive more lab results.

Community members from the Fond du Lac band began reporting symptoms late last week, and two patients were briefly hospitalized.

The Star Tribune reports the Health Department is interviewing patients and seeking the source of the outbreak, which might be linked to mishandling of leftover food.

E. coli can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Early testing indicates the contamination is not linked to the statewide outbreak reported last week.